Articles tagged with "programmes"

Be-leaf it or knot: Are tree-planting initiatives up to snuff or are they going up in smoke?

5 September 2022

Back in the March 21, 2022 edition of the Skeptics Newsletter, I wrote about the scheme/scam of becoming a fake Scottish Lord (or Laird as the case may be). One of the new sales tactics is to take on a conservation mission to your purchase, the promise that you are saving some wildcats, creating a nature reserve, or having a tree dedicated in your honour. The impact of these add-ons is questionable, subject to lawsuits and allegation of funny financial dealings. Even more concerning is the lack of transparency about who is advising these companies about the reintroduction of nativa trees and the deforestation of invasive ones.

Behind the Screen

1 August 2002

Mass screening programmes have generated considerable controversy in this country. But these programmes have inherent limitations, which need to be better understood

"Real TV"?

1 August 1998

The Skeptics make their first-ever complaint to the Broadcasting Standards Authority.

TV and Gullibility

1 February 1989

I have been reading Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death (Methuen 1987) and very interesting it is too. Postman takes some vicious swipes at Television; although tolerant of Dynasty, Dallas and Sledge Hammer he is unrelenting in his condemnation of its 'best' programmes. His main point is that TV is killing off our abilities to think and express ourselves logically. I will summarise briefly; to catch the full flavour of Postman's invective you will have to read the book.

Radio New Zealand Responds

1 May 1987

Thank you for your letter of 21 August and your expression of concern about our "Tonight Show" broadcasts by Mary Fry.